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Service stations on the M6

Corley
Located Between junctions 3 and 3A
Operated by Welcome Break
Contact Email: corley.rdm@welcomebreak.co.uk
Signing Inadequate - see comments below
Fuel Full access to all fuels
Comments September 2007 (Southbound):
There are caravan signs on the way in but they put you into the end of car parking area and you can only seriously access two or three double car bays to park in, if you want to easily get out. Until this year you were directed into an area near the coach bays but this is no longer so. Ended up in HGV bays.
- anonymous report

September 2007 (Northbound):
The signing on all Welcome Break MSAs is in pale green with short arrows; the signs are difficult to see & interpret. At Corley there may be designated parking but the signs are not clear and I have never found it (I have tried on several occasions). I suggest MSA signing should use the same standards & symbols as the motorway and trunk road network, and should not be left to individual MSA companies to invent their own. Apart from differences in ownership, MSAs are to the driver no different than the open road.
- Mike Ward

March 2008 (northbound):

The sign for caravans tell you to take the 2nd right off the slip road into the side of the car parking area. Unfortunately, this entrance has 7' width barriers on it preventing caravans going through!!! Ended up in HGV bays again!

- Alan Chilestone

Distance to next services North: 29 miles (Hilton Park)
South: (M1 N) 22 miles (Leicester Forest East), (M1 S) 24 miles (Watford Gap)
Overall rating
(max 5 stars)		 **

Hilton Park
Located Between junctions 10A and 11
Operated by Moto
Contact Site Manager (Paul Ruddy) Tel: 01922 412237 or use this Contact Us webpage:
http://www.moto-way.com/page.cfm?Section=8.2&Process=FormServices
Signing Caravan parking signs direct you into the HGV bay.
Fuel Wholly inadequate (see comments below)
Distance to next services North: 19 miles (Stafford),
South: 29 miles (Corley)
Comments No date given (northbound):
Stopped at first space (clearly marked coaches only). Had to get out and wander around to find the official caravan bays further along. Moved caravan to "caravan" parking bay, went off for lunch (which by the way was poor) Came back. Needed fuel before rejoining motorway (petrol towcar). Reversed out of space and joined queue of HGV's. Something rang a bell, so as I was stuck in a stationary queue, I got out and had a walk. I found my route only led to HGV diesel pumps, then onto the motorway. I was nearly empty so I HAD to get fuel. Eventually I worked out the only way to the petrol pumps was to drive back into my parking bay, up the kerb and over the pavement into the car park, then into the petrol pumps. Thankfully it was only a low kerb, but totally shocking to have to make such a manoeuvre just to get petrol fuel.
- report by Dave Hewitt

Date not given:
Caravan parking is difficult, poor exit signs. Avoid!
- report by Julie Scarsbrook

April 2007 (southbound):
Bad bad bad!
- report by Lloyd Martin Hartles

August 2007 (southbound):
We could see no signs for caravans at all. Assume one parks in the HGV area. Under no circumstances use the coach bays (£80 fine). Very unfriendly.

- report by David Sullivan
Distance to next services
Overall rating
(max 5 stars)		 *

Stafford
Located Between junctions 14 and 15
Operated by Moto
Signing Clear signs to separate designated caravan parking area which has drive-through bays (but see additional comments)
Fuel Clearly signed on way out
Comments No date given. (Northbound):
Supposedly separate area for caravans but as the overnight parking is very cheap at £8 the adjacent HGV area gets very full overnight and then they use the caravan area. We arrived at night and I couldn't find the service area as it was quite a walk away and hidden behind trees so I had to walk over to the garage to ask. Drive in drive out bays a definite plus. Overnight tickets available from machines in service area car park as well as cafe.
Parking area some distance from the facilities.
- report by Nick Ritchie

April 2007 (northbound):
Ambiguous signing to caravan parking area which has reverse-in/reverse-out bays. Poor access to fuel - how to get there from the designated caravan parking area is beyond me

- report by Lloyd Martin Hartles

June 2007 (Northbound):
Large HGV park in addition but still large lorries parked in caravan area therefore oil deposits among other things

- report by Maureen Summers

September 2007 (Northbound):
This is an excellent service area to take a well earned break on long journeys. Excellent facilities and rest areas with lovely seating areas around the wildlife lake when the weather is warm.

- report by Janet Wallace

Date not supplied (Southbound):
 Caravan parking is close to the facilities; services are very clean and food is quite good.

- report by 'Lynda'

November 2007 (Northbound):
Lunch time on 12th November, turned into the caravan area, luckily one space available, ALL others (approx 12) occupied by either HGVs, Panel Vans and one car parked nose to the curb, blocking the by-pass road with the driver asleep. Went to fuel services and lodged complaint. Duty Manager arrived to try to sort it out, but as no drivers were in the vehicles, she could do little. During stay, four other HGVs pulled into the area, but then had to reverse out due to congestion. On leaving we were quickly replaced by yet another HGV. Under some sort of protection, this would be an excellent stopover, but currently it is rarely available.

- report by John Hobson

January 2008 (Northbound):
We found it took 20 minutes to walk to the toilet facilities from the caravan park. You could save a few minutes by walking across the HGV park- dangerous.

- report by Catherine Renfrey

January 2008 (Northbound):
This was the new Moto stafford north msa, the caravan parking bays were full of trucks. Truck park was half empty, but you have to drive around again to get into this. Tree lined area full of bins with rodent bait in, which dogs could get easy access to. Be aware of this.

- report by Errol Kerrone

April 2008 (Northbound):
We have used these services quite a few times on our way back home, each and every time there have been more lorries than caravans/motorhomes in the bays. Last time was no exception, when we arrived, there was 1 caravan and the rest were all lorries. Luckily we managed to find one space for our motorhome.

- report by 'Ina'

April 2009 (Southbound):
Caravan parking is on the opposite side of facilities from HGVs. 10 bays . 2 occupied on our visit. Could see that there may be a problem with cars occupying bays on busy days.

- report by David Taylor
Distance to next services North: 10 miles (Keele)
South: 19 miles (Hilton Park)
Overall rating
(max 5 stars)		 ***

Keele
Located Between junctions 15 and 16
Operated by Welcome Break
Contact Email: keele.rdm@welcomebreak.co.uk
Signing Poor signing leading to HGV area, but close to facilities.
Fuel
Comments September 2007 (southbound):
What a disgrace, holes in road, oil everywhere, caravans mixed in with H.G.V. We will never stop there again, just like a refuse site, rubbish and oil everywhere.
- anonymous report

August 2008 (northbound):
It was very unclear where caravans were meant to park. Clear signs for cars HGVs and coaches. We with many other caravans ended up in the "cars" carpark taking 2 spaces and having tight turns to exit. No paths to the main buildings so had to walk across busy carpark. Once you had parked you find the fuel is behind you so would be difficult to access; much easier to go on to next services. We will avoid this service station in the future.

- report by Kirsty Holloran
Distance to next services North: 12 miles (Sandbach)
South: 10 miles (Keele)
Overall rating
(max 5 stars)		 *

Sandbach
Located Between junctions 16 and 17
Operated by Roadchef
Signing Signing to 'shared with HGVs' parking area is OK.
Fuel
Comments 2006 (Northbound):
During 2006 travelling north on the M6 we tried to stop at Keele and were unable to find anywhere to park, we continued on to Sandbach and found the caravan area coned off with an attendant,who on seeing us moved the cones to let us in and then replaced them to stop non caravaners parking. We were very surprised and impressed.
- report by John Chapman

June 2008 (southbound):
Caravans are directed to the HGV parking area. Space is OK, but not so good if you have to go in as the second caravn in an HGV bay - need to reverse out.

- report by Tim Morgan
Distance to next services North: 12 miles (Knutsford)
South: 12 miles (Keele)
Overall rating
(max 5 stars)		 ***

Knutsford
Located Between junctions 17 and 18
Operated by Moto
Contact Site Manager (Gail Walker) Tel: 01565 634167 or use this Contact Us webpage:
http://www.moto-way.com/page.cfm?Section=8.2&Process=FormServices
Signing Poor signing, no apparent separate parking area for caravans, no indication as to where to park.
Fuel Good access to all fuels.
Comments January 2008 (Southbound):
The road signs on the Southbound M6 clearly indicate that Knutsford services is not for HGV's. I queued with many cars on the slip road to the services to find a HGV partially blocking the road! the first entrance was for cars and the second entrance was for Coaches (No signs evident for caravan parking). I entered the coach park to find that the spaces were filled mainly with HGV's & 7.5 tonne lorries. there was only one coach parked up! I reversed my outfit into a bay without any concerns as there was plenty of room between the parking lanes. However, whilst parked for 25 mins I did notice many cars also parking at he rear of HGV's that were in the drive through bays.
- report by 'tintenter'
Distance to next services North: 7 miles (Lymm)
South: 12 miles (Sandbach)
Overall rating
(max 5 stars)		 **

Lymm
Located At junction 20
Operated by Moto
Signing
Fuel
Comments Previously owned by Poplar 2000 and known as Lymm Truckstop. However it's still mainly a truck stop and I don't know whether it has separate parking for caravans. Limited facilities for cars.
Distance to next services North: 22 miles (Charnock Richard)
South: 7 miles (Knutsford)
Overall rating
(max 5 stars)		 ***

Charnock Richard
Located Between junctions 27 and 28
Operated by Welcome Break
Signing Signs on the ground direct you into the main carpark and leave you to fend for yourself. [Judging from later reports, this has now been rectified.]
Fuel At entrance to parking areas, so good access.
Comments June 2007 Southbound
The parking facilities are very similar to Bolton West on the M61 and frankly inadequate. Caravanners are expected to battle it out with solo cars for parking bays.
- report by David Sullivan


17 September 2007 (Northbound):
I would like to praise Charnock Richard services northbound. On arriving at these services with our unit (Seat Alhambra, Compass Rally 640 26 5ft ) the bays marked for caravans were actually long enough. Also there were some people that apparently can't read who had parked cars and vans in bays marked for caravans BUT there was an attendant in fluorescent attire moving said parkers to other areas
- report by John & Pam Dobson

15 October 2007 (Northbound):
Don't agree with previous report. We found several cars occupying caravan bays and we couldn't find space to park ANYWHERE, meaning that we had to drive on without stopping.
- report by Brenda Robinson

June 2008 (Northbound):
The drive through caravan bays looked quite new and each was clearly marked for caravans only. There were about six bays. We had no problems, but not sure where we would have gone if they had been full. It would be very hard to get an HGV in.

- report by Tim Morgan

Distance to next services North: 25 miles (Lancaster)
South: 22 miles (Lymm)
Overall rating
(max 5 stars)		 **

Lancaster (Forton)
Located Between junctions 32 and 33
Operated by Moto
Contact Site Manager (Chris Taylor) Tel: 01524 791775 or use this Contact Us webpage:
http://www.moto-way.com/page.cfm?Section=8.2&Process=FormServices
Signing Unbelievable! Northbound, clear unambiguous caravan signs took us right past the HGV park and into the Travelodge carpark! We didn't turn in (for one thing the turning was too sharp for a caravan) but what on earth are Moto playing at?
Southbound, the situation was much better.
- report by David Sullivan
Fuel Easy access to all pumps
Comments June 2007 Northbound
A number of caravans were parked up in the HGV area which seems a wise choice under the circumstances, though given the eagerness with which some MSA operators fine you for parking in the wrong area, it might be a little foolhardy! My advice is, if travelling north, continue on to Burton-in-Kendal.
- report by David Sullivan

And as if in confirmation:
July 2007 Northbound
Parking for caravans and motorhomes is in the car park of the travel lodge!!!!!!!!!! very sharp turn. My husband has walking difficulties and it is a fair walk over to the toilets, why hit us campers!!!

- report by 'Maureen'

But perhaps things are changing! (For better or worse? I couldn't possibly comment!) :-
 14 September 2007 Northbound:
Echo comments already reported; this northbound service area is less than useless as the final 'Caravans' sign, next to the sharp turn-in, has now been removed or stolen so it now appears the Travelodge proprietors do not want you in there either!

- report by Brian Stockwell
Distance to next services North: 16 miles (Burton-in-Kendal)
South: 25 miles (Charnock Richard)
Overall rating
(max 5 stars)		 *

Burton-in-Kendal (northbound only)
Located Between junctions 35 and 36
Operated by Travelodge
Signing Caravan parking area is shared with HGVs but the signing is clear. Drive-through bays.
Fuel Easy access to all pumps.
Comments November 2007:
Shared with the HGV's, not too big an issue unless you have children. However, there is a deep drain running the width of the parking area which could damage units with movers. Not helpful.
- report by 'Grumpyoldsod'

Distance to next services North: 24 miles (Tebay)
Overall rating
(max 5 stars)		 ***

Killington Lake (southbound only)
Located Between junctions 36 and 37
Operated by Roadchef
Signing Good to start with, then a bit iffy
Fuel Easy access
Comments June 2007
Dedicated layby bays alongside the HGV park. Final sign into caravan area is on roadway and rather faint.
- report by David Sullivan
Distance to next services South: 26 miles (Lancaster)
Overall rating
(max 5 stars)		 ****

Tebay
Located Between junctions 38 and 39
Operated by Westmorland
Signing Clear signing for all vehicles. Northbound, ignore the signs to 'Caravan Park'. This is the overnight camping area. Follow signs for 'All Other Vehicles'. Southbound, follow signs to 'Caravan parking' which take you into the short-stay (and unsurfaced) caravan parking area, from where it's quite a long walk to the facilities.
Fuel The space between the pumps is limited. Try for one of the end pumps.
Comments June 2007
Northbound
Tebay is privately owned by a local family and is arguably the finest service station in the network in terms of its shop and restaurant facilities (unfortunately that fact is widely known which can make it a busy place at certain periods!). Regrettably the parking facilities for caravans let it down badly, especially southbound. Caravan parking is shared with cars on northbound side and therefore close to amenities.
Southbound
Dedicated parking area on unsurfaced (and potholed) ground, some distance from the facilities.
- reports by David Sullivan


June 2007 (northbound):
Superb services. Long and short spaces all together but it seems to work OK. The services are always well run, clean, friendly etc. We always stay overnight at the caravan park here when we are on our way to and from Scotland. Perfect as you don't have to go too far from your route. Always well run and friendly. Beautiful views here as well. [I should point out that Maree gave Tebay a 5-star rating. The caravan park (for overnight parking) and the general facilities are indeed excellent. However, for short-term parking of caravans, I think the site falls short of what we should expect, especially on the southbound side, and I'm therefore reluctant at present to increase the rating from 3 stars. DS]
- reports by 'Maree'

Distance to next services North: 26 miles (Southwaite)
South: 12 miles (Killington Lake)
Overall rating
(max 5 stars)		 ***

Southwaite
Located Between junctions 41 and 42
Operated by Moto
Signing Clear signs for caravans.
Fuel Easy access to all pumps.
Comments June 2007 North and southbound
Caravan parking shared with HGVs.
- report by David Sullivan

May 2009 (northbound):
There are no caravan direction signs at the entrance to this service area. [I last visited in June 2007 but my memory was that there was good signing. Can anyone else comment? - DS] Followed the lorries sign and came to another sign which DID list caravans, aas well as coaches and lorries. This led into one large parking area, where we found about five further caravans, one coach and around 20 lorries. It could have taken many more. However there were also at least 8 cars not towing parked up. Clearly no enforcement of provisions - despite a large car park closer to the facilities. There are no marked spaces, although the lorries were all in diagonal formation in the middle of the area. Three of the caravans were along side the marked off edge of the divider between the parking area and the through road. We joined them. You virtually have to drive by the fuel pumps to exit this area. The one downside was an offensive odour wafting oveer from somewhere adjacent - ? is there a sewage farm next door?
- report by Stuart Lillie

Distance to next services North: A74(M) 21 miles (Gretna Green)
South: 26 miles (Tebay)
Overall rating
(max 5 stars)		 ***

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© Copyright D. Sullivan 2007-2009